First published 1967
Dobry lives in a Bulgarian village where his mother expects him to become a farmer like his grandfather. The boy loves to sketch and carve wooden figures, but his family sees no value in such activities. His mother wants him to focus on practical work that will provide security. Dobry's grandfather understands the boy's artistic nature better than his mother does. The village life follows ancient rhythms of planting and harvest, but Dobry feels pulled toward something different. He must choose between honoring his family's expectations and pursuing his calling as an artist. The story explores the tension between tradition and individual dreams in a close-knit community where everyone knows their place. Dobry's struggle reflects the universal conflict between duty and passion, between the safe path and the uncertain journey of creative expression.
Genres: fiction, art, family-life, 20th-century, coming-of-age
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: duty-vs-passion, tradition-vs-change
Setting: Bulgaria
Period: 20th-century
192 pages · Paperback · Viking Press